AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate Practice Exam
Preparing for the AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate certification exam is a critical step for IT professionals aiming to demonstrate expertise in securing Microsoft Azure environments. This exam validates your skills in implementing security controls, maintaining the security posture, managing identity and access, and protecting data, applications, and networks within Azure. Passing the AZ-500 opens doors to advanced career opportunities in cloud security, making it one of the most sought-after certifications in the industry today.
At ExamSage.com, our AZ-500 practice exam is meticulously designed to help you prepare effectively and confidently for the actual certification test. This practice test offers comprehensive coverage of all essential topics, including managing identity and access using Azure Active Directory, implementing platform protection with Azure Security Center and Azure Defender, managing security operations with Azure Sentinel, and securing data and applications with encryption and key management.
What You Will Learn
By working through this practice exam, you will gain a deeper understanding of the key areas required for the AZ-500 certification:
Identity and Access Management: Learn how to configure and manage Azure Active Directory, implement Conditional Access policies, and utilize Privileged Identity Management to secure privileged accounts.
Platform Protection: Master the use of Azure Security Center to assess and strengthen your security posture, configure network security groups, firewalls, and application security to protect Azure workloads.
Security Operations: Understand how to monitor, detect, and respond to security threats using Azure Sentinel, Security Center alerts, and log analytics.
Data and Application Security: Gain skills in encrypting data at rest and in transit, managing Azure Key Vault for cryptographic keys and secrets, and protecting applications running in Azure environments.
Why Choose ExamSage.com for AZ-500 Exam Preparation?
ExamSage.com is committed to providing top-quality, up-to-date exam resources tailored specifically for certification success. Our AZ-500 practice test is created by experienced cloud security professionals and regularly updated to reflect the latest exam objectives and Azure platform changes. Each question is accompanied by clear, detailed explanations, allowing you to understand not just the correct answers but the reasoning behind them.
We also prioritize user experience by offering an intuitive platform that simulates the real exam environment, helping you build test-taking stamina and confidence. Whether you are a beginner looking to strengthen your fundamentals or an experienced professional aiming for certification, ExamSage.com is your trusted partner in achieving your Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate certification.
Start your journey today with our AZ-500 practice exam, and take a confident step toward mastering Azure security and advancing your cloud career.
Sample Questions and Answers
1. Which Azure service can you use to detect threats and vulnerabilities in your Azure resources?
A) Azure Security Center
B) Azure Monitor
C) Azure Sentinel
D) Azure Advisor
Answer: A) Azure Security Center
Explanation: Azure Security Center provides unified security management and advanced threat protection across hybrid cloud workloads, helping detect threats and vulnerabilities.
2. What is the primary purpose of Azure Key Vault?
A) To store and manage secrets, keys, and certificates securely
B) To monitor network traffic in Azure
C) To analyze security logs and alerts
D) To provide identity management for users
Answer: A) To store and manage secrets, keys, and certificates securely
Explanation: Azure Key Vault helps safeguard cryptographic keys and secrets used by cloud applications and services.
3. Which of the following is the best method to restrict access to an Azure Storage Account from specific virtual networks?
A) Network Security Groups (NSGs)
B) Azure Firewall
C) Storage Account Firewalls and Virtual Network Rules
D) Azure DDoS Protection
Answer: C) Storage Account Firewalls and Virtual Network Rules
Explanation: Storage Account Firewalls and Virtual Network rules allow you to restrict access to storage accounts by specifying trusted virtual networks or IP address ranges.
4. You want to enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for users accessing Azure resources. Which Azure service should you configure?
A) Azure Active Directory Conditional Access
B) Azure Security Center
C) Azure Firewall
D) Azure Sentinel
Answer: A) Azure Active Directory Conditional Access
Explanation: Conditional Access policies in Azure AD can require MFA based on user, location, device state, and other conditions.
5. Which Azure feature provides Just-In-Time (JIT) VM access?
A) Azure Security Center
B) Azure Bastion
C) Azure Firewall
D) Azure Monitor
Answer: A) Azure Security Center
Explanation: Azure Security Center’s JIT VM access reduces exposure to attacks by allowing you to restrict inbound traffic to VMs unless explicitly approved.
6. What is the main role of Azure Defender?
A) To detect and prevent threats across hybrid environments
B) To manage network routing rules
C) To configure firewall policies
D) To automate deployment of resources
Answer: A) To detect and prevent threats across hybrid environments
Explanation: Azure Defender (part of Azure Security Center) offers advanced threat protection for Azure and hybrid environments.
7. Which tool helps collect security logs from multiple Azure resources and perform analysis to identify suspicious activities?
A) Azure Monitor
B) Azure Sentinel
C) Azure Security Center
D) Azure Firewall
Answer: B) Azure Sentinel
Explanation: Azure Sentinel is a cloud-native SIEM and SOAR tool that collects and analyzes security data from multiple sources.
8. How can you secure an Azure App Service with a private endpoint?
A) Enable the Azure Firewall
B) Configure a private endpoint connection in the App Service
C) Use Azure AD Conditional Access
D) Enable NSG on the App Service
Answer: B) Configure a private endpoint connection in the App Service
Explanation: Private endpoints allow you to secure Azure services by connecting them privately inside your virtual network.
9. Which Azure service allows you to control inbound and outbound traffic to resources using rules based on IP, port, and protocol?
A) Azure Firewall
B) Azure Bastion
C) Azure Key Vault
D) Azure AD Conditional Access
Answer: A) Azure Firewall
Explanation: Azure Firewall is a managed network security service that filters traffic based on rules.
10. What is the best practice for storing connection strings and application secrets in Azure?
A) Store them in the application code
B) Store them in Azure Key Vault
C) Store them in Azure Blob Storage
D) Store them in Azure SQL Database
Answer: B) Store them in Azure Key Vault
Explanation: Azure Key Vault is designed to securely store secrets and protect sensitive configuration data.
11. Which type of Azure role allows assigning only the necessary permissions to users?
A) Owner
B) Contributor
C) Custom role
D) Reader
Answer: C) Custom role
Explanation: Custom roles enable fine-grained permission assignment tailored to specific needs.
12. What feature helps you automatically remediate security misconfigurations in Azure?
A) Azure Policy with remediation tasks
B) Azure AD Privileged Identity Management
C) Azure Sentinel analytics rules
D) Azure Monitor alerts
Answer: A) Azure Policy with remediation tasks
Explanation: Azure Policy can enforce organizational standards and initiate remediation for non-compliant resources.
13. You want to audit changes to Azure resources for security compliance. Which service do you use?
A) Azure Monitor
B) Azure Activity Log
C) Azure Security Center
D) Azure Sentinel
Answer: B) Azure Activity Log
Explanation: The Azure Activity Log records all control-plane operations for auditing.
14. How can you prevent data exfiltration from an Azure SQL Database?
A) Use Azure Private Link
B) Use Azure DDoS Protection
C) Use Azure Policy
D) Use Azure Firewall
Answer: A) Use Azure Private Link
Explanation: Azure Private Link enables private connectivity from a virtual network to Azure services, preventing data exfiltration over the public internet.
15. Which Azure service allows role-based access control (RBAC) for resources?
A) Azure Security Center
B) Azure AD
C) Azure Sentinel
D) Azure Monitor
Answer: B) Azure AD
Explanation: Azure AD manages identities and enforces RBAC on Azure resources.
16. What should you configure to limit administrative access to Azure resources to a just-in-time basis?
A) Azure AD Conditional Access
B) Azure Security Center Just-In-Time VM Access
C) Azure Firewall policies
D) Azure Monitor alerts
Answer: B) Azure Security Center Just-In-Time VM Access
Explanation: JIT VM Access reduces exposure by granting temporary access only when needed.
17. You want to analyze security alerts and incidents across multiple Azure subscriptions. Which tool is best?
A) Azure Sentinel
B) Azure Security Center
C) Azure AD Identity Protection
D) Azure Advisor
Answer: A) Azure Sentinel
Explanation: Azure Sentinel provides centralized security monitoring and incident response across multiple environments.
18. What does Azure AD Privileged Identity Management (PIM) help you achieve?
A) Manage and control just-in-time administrative access to Azure resources
B) Configure network routing rules
C) Detect threats in virtual machines
D) Manage keys and secrets
Answer: A) Manage and control just-in-time administrative access to Azure resources
Explanation: PIM helps reduce risk by controlling privileged roles with time-limited access.
19. Which Azure Security Center pricing tier provides threat protection for non-Azure servers?
A) Free
B) Standard
C) Basic
D) Premium
Answer: B) Standard
Explanation: The Standard tier extends security protection to hybrid and on-premises workloads.
20. What is a key benefit of using Azure Managed Identities?
A) Enable applications to access Azure resources without storing credentials in code
B) Encrypt data at rest
C) Provide network isolation
D) Manage firewall rules
Answer: A) Enable applications to access Azure resources without storing credentials in code
Explanation: Managed Identities provide Azure resources an automatically managed identity for secure authentication.
21. Which Azure service provides DDoS protection at the network layer?
A) Azure Firewall
B) Azure DDoS Protection Standard
C) Azure Security Center
D) Azure Sentinel
Answer: B) Azure DDoS Protection Standard
Explanation: This service protects Azure resources from distributed denial-of-service attacks.
22. How do you secure Azure Storage blobs to prevent unauthorized access?
A) Use Shared Access Signatures (SAS)
B) Disable logging
C) Use public access settings
D) Use NSGs
Answer: A) Use Shared Access Signatures (SAS)
Explanation: SAS tokens grant limited access to storage resources without exposing account keys.
23. What is the purpose of Azure Blueprints?
A) To define repeatable environments including policies and resources
B) To monitor application performance
C) To provide threat detection alerts
D) To configure virtual networks
Answer: A) To define repeatable environments including policies and resources
Explanation: Azure Blueprints automate deployment of resource templates, policies, and role assignments.
24. Which feature allows you to monitor and log network traffic in Azure?
A) Azure Network Watcher
B) Azure Firewall
C) Azure Monitor
D) Azure AD
Answer: A) Azure Network Watcher
Explanation: Network Watcher provides tools to monitor, diagnose, and gain insights into network traffic.
25. What is the function of Azure AD Identity Protection?
A) Detect risky sign-ins and vulnerabilities related to user identities
B) Manage firewall rules
C) Encrypt data at rest
D) Automate VM deployment
Answer: A) Detect risky sign-ins and vulnerabilities related to user identities
Explanation: Azure AD Identity Protection analyzes signals to identify potential identity compromise.
26. What is the best way to provide a security baseline for all Azure resources in your subscription?
A) Use Azure Policy initiatives
B) Use Azure Monitor alerts
C) Use Azure Firewall rules
D) Use Azure Sentinel
Answer: A) Use Azure Policy initiatives
Explanation: Policy initiatives group multiple policies to enforce compliance at scale.
27. How can you ensure that virtual machines are encrypted in Azure?
A) Enable Azure Disk Encryption
B) Configure NSGs
C) Use Azure Firewall
D) Configure Azure Bastion
Answer: A) Enable Azure Disk Encryption
Explanation: Azure Disk Encryption uses BitLocker or DM-Crypt to encrypt VM disks.
28. You want to enforce encryption of data in transit for all Azure SQL Databases. What should you enable?
A) Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
B) Always Encrypted
C) TLS enforcement
D) Azure Firewall
Answer: C) TLS enforcement
Explanation: TLS encryption ensures secure data transmission between clients and the database.
29. Which Azure service can detect suspicious activities such as impossible travel or unfamiliar sign-in properties?
A) Azure AD Identity Protection
B) Azure Sentinel
C) Azure Security Center
D) Azure Firewall
Answer: A) Azure AD Identity Protection
Explanation: It uses machine learning to identify suspicious sign-in behaviors.
30. What is the recommended method to secure Azure Functions with private network access?
A) Use Azure Private Endpoint
B) Use public access with IP restrictions
C) Use Azure Firewall only
D) Use Azure Monitor
Answer: A) Use Azure Private Endpoint
Explanation: Private Endpoints provide private connectivity to Azure Functions within your virtual network.
31. Which Azure service helps protect applications by filtering incoming HTTP requests and blocking malicious traffic?
A) Azure Firewall
B) Azure DDoS Protection
C) Azure Web Application Firewall (WAF)
D) Azure Security Center
Answer: C) Azure Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Explanation: Azure WAF protects web applications from common exploits and vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
32. What is the main purpose of Conditional Access policies in Azure AD?
A) To automate deployment of resources
B) To enforce access controls based on conditions like user location, device compliance, and risk
C) To encrypt Azure Storage
D) To monitor network traffic
Answer: B) To enforce access controls based on conditions like user location, device compliance, and risk
Explanation: Conditional Access policies help apply security requirements dynamically based on various user and device signals.
33. Which feature of Azure Security Center can be used to scan container images for vulnerabilities?
A) Azure Defender for Containers
B) Azure Monitor
C) Azure Sentinel
D) Azure Policy
Answer: A) Azure Defender for Containers
Explanation: This feature scans container images in registries and running containers for vulnerabilities and security issues.
34. What is the benefit of enabling resource locks in Azure?
A) It prevents accidental deletion or modification of critical resources
B) It encrypts data at rest
C) It monitors network traffic
D) It configures firewall rules
Answer: A) It prevents accidental deletion or modification of critical resources
Explanation: Resource locks can be set to ‘Read-only’ or ‘Delete’ to protect resources from unintended changes.
35. What is the default authentication method when an Azure Managed Identity is used to access Azure resources?
A) OAuth 2.0 tokens issued by Azure AD
B) Username and password
C) API keys stored in Key Vault
D) SSH keys
Answer: A) OAuth 2.0 tokens issued by Azure AD
Explanation: Managed identities use Azure AD to provide OAuth 2.0 tokens automatically without credentials stored in code.
36. What Azure feature allows you to centrally configure and enforce security settings for multiple subscriptions?
A) Management Groups with Azure Policy
B) Azure Firewall
C) Azure Monitor
D) Azure Sentinel
Answer: A) Management Groups with Azure Policy
Explanation: Azure Policy can be assigned at management groups to enforce standards across subscriptions.
37. How can you implement data classification and labeling in Azure?
A) Use Azure Information Protection (AIP)
B) Use Azure Sentinel
C) Use Azure Monitor
D) Use Azure Firewall
Answer: A) Use Azure Information Protection (AIP)
Explanation: AIP helps classify, label, and protect data based on sensitivity.
38. Which Azure service can you use to automate security alerts and responses?
A) Azure Sentinel
B) Azure Security Center
C) Azure Policy
D) Azure AD
Answer: A) Azure Sentinel
Explanation: Sentinel provides automation rules and playbooks to automate threat response.
39. What is the recommended approach to manage identities for applications running in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)?
A) Use Kubernetes secrets with Azure Key Vault integration
B) Store credentials in container images
C) Use Azure AD Pod Identity
D) Use static passwords
Answer: C) Use Azure AD Pod Identity
Explanation: Azure AD Pod Identity assigns managed identities to pods, enabling secure access to Azure resources.
40. Which encryption method protects Azure Storage data at rest?
A) TLS encryption
B) Storage Service Encryption (SSE)
C) Always Encrypted
D) VPN encryption
Answer: B) Storage Service Encryption (SSE)
Explanation: SSE automatically encrypts data stored in Azure Storage accounts.
41. What is the key difference between Azure Firewall and Network Security Groups (NSGs)?
A) NSGs filter traffic at subnet and NIC level, Azure Firewall filters at the network perimeter
B) Azure Firewall only filters outbound traffic
C) NSGs provide intrusion detection
D) Azure Firewall is free, NSGs are paid
Answer: A) NSGs filter traffic at subnet and NIC level, Azure Firewall filters at the network perimeter
Explanation: NSGs provide granular traffic filtering on resources, while Azure Firewall is a centralized, managed firewall service.
42. Which of the following can be used to audit sign-ins and risk events in Azure AD?
A) Azure AD Sign-in Logs
B) Azure Monitor Metrics
C) Azure Firewall logs
D) Azure Key Vault access logs
Answer: A) Azure AD Sign-in Logs
Explanation: Sign-in logs track user authentications and detect risky sign-in activities.
43. You want to enforce encryption of Azure SQL Database data at rest. Which technology should you enable?
A) Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
B) Azure Disk Encryption
C) Always Encrypted
D) Azure Firewall
Answer: A) Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
Explanation: TDE encrypts SQL Database files at rest transparently to the user.
44. What is the function of Azure AD Access Reviews?
A) Periodically review and certify user access to resources
B) Deploy resources automatically
C) Analyze network traffic
D) Encrypt data at rest
Answer: A) Periodically review and certify user access to resources
Explanation: Access Reviews help ensure users have only the access they need.
45. Which Azure Security Center feature provides adaptive application controls?
A) Application whitelisting to restrict apps running on VMs
B) Network traffic filtering
C) Identity protection
D) Firewall rule creation
Answer: A) Application whitelisting to restrict apps running on VMs
Explanation: Adaptive application controls enforce only approved apps on virtual machines.
46. How do you secure API communication between microservices in Azure?
A) Use Managed Identities and Azure AD authentication
B) Use shared API keys in the code
C) Use public endpoints only
D) Use NSGs
Answer: A) Use Managed Identities and Azure AD authentication
Explanation: Managed Identities eliminate secrets and provide secure token-based authentication.
47. Which Azure tool helps you identify and respond to insider threats and compromised accounts?
A) Azure AD Identity Protection
B) Azure Security Center
C) Azure Sentinel
D) Azure Monitor
Answer: A) Azure AD Identity Protection
Explanation: It detects suspicious activities related to user identities.
48. What is the function of Azure Bastion?
A) Provide secure RDP and SSH connectivity to VMs without exposing public IPs
B) Firewall traffic inspection
C) Monitor VM performance
D) Encrypt VM disks
Answer: A) Provide secure RDP and SSH connectivity to VMs without exposing public IPs
Explanation: Azure Bastion provides secure, browser-based access to virtual machines.
49. How can you secure Azure Key Vault against unauthorized access?
A) Use access policies and network restrictions like firewall and virtual network service endpoints
B) Store keys in plaintext files
C) Use public access with IP filtering
D) Disable logging
Answer: A) Use access policies and network restrictions like firewall and virtual network service endpoints
Explanation: Proper access policies and network controls protect Key Vault from unauthorized access.
50. What is the recommended method to secure Azure Functions that require access to other Azure resources?
A) Use Managed Identities for Azure Resources
B) Store credentials in code
C) Use public keys only
D) Use static passwords
Answer: A) Use Managed Identities for Azure Resources
Explanation: Managed Identities enable secure, credential-free authentication to Azure resources.
51. Which Azure Security Center recommendation helps mitigate threats by blocking brute-force attacks on virtual machines?
A) Enable Just-in-Time VM Access
B) Enable Azure Firewall
C) Configure NSGs
D) Use Azure Bastion
Answer: A) Enable Just-in-Time VM Access
Explanation: JIT VM Access limits exposure by allowing temporary access to VMs only when needed.
52. Which Azure service provides real-time alerts on suspicious activities using machine learning?
A) Azure Sentinel
B) Azure AD Identity Protection
C) Azure Monitor
D) Azure Firewall
Answer: B) Azure AD Identity Protection
Explanation: It uses machine learning to detect risky sign-ins and compromised accounts.
53. How can you centrally enforce encryption of all managed disks in Azure?
A) Use Azure Policy to enforce disk encryption settings
B) Configure NSGs
C) Use Azure Firewall
D) Use Azure Monitor
Answer: A) Use Azure Policy to enforce disk encryption settings
Explanation: Azure Policy can audit and enforce encryption compliance on managed disks.
54. Which Azure feature helps you create secure connections between your on-premises network and Azure without exposing traffic to the public internet?
A) Azure VPN Gateway
B) Azure Bastion
C) Azure Firewall
D) Azure DDoS Protection
Answer: A) Azure VPN Gateway
Explanation: VPN Gateway provides secure, encrypted tunnels for hybrid connectivity.
55. How can you ensure that Azure SQL Database connections use encrypted communication?
A) Enforce TLS/SSL connections
B) Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
C) Use Azure Firewall
D) Use Azure Monitor
Answer: A) Enforce TLS/SSL connections
Explanation: TLS/SSL encrypts data in transit between clients and the database.
56. Which service helps protect against DDoS attacks in Azure?
A) Azure DDoS Protection Standard
B) Azure Firewall
C) Azure Security Center
D) Azure Sentinel
Answer: A) Azure DDoS Protection Standard
Explanation: It mitigates volumetric, protocol, and application-layer DDoS attacks.
57. What is the best way to manage access to Azure Storage Account keys?
A) Regenerate keys regularly and use Azure Key Vault to store keys
B) Share keys with all developers
C) Store keys in application code
D) Use public access
Answer: A) Regenerate keys regularly and use Azure Key Vault to store keys
Explanation: This approach minimizes risk of key compromise.
58. Which feature of Azure Sentinel allows you to automate responses to detected threats?
A) Playbooks (Logic Apps)
B) Azure Monitor
C) Azure Security Center
D) Azure Policy
Answer: A) Playbooks (Logic Apps)
Explanation: Playbooks enable automated workflows triggered by Sentinel alerts.
59. What is a key capability of Azure AD B2B collaboration in securing Azure resources?
A) Allows external users to securely access resources with controlled permissions
B) Automatically encrypts data
C) Monitors network traffic
D) Provides firewall services
Answer: A) Allows external users to securely access resources with controlled permissions
Explanation: B2B collaboration facilitates secure access for external partners.
60. Which Azure service provides identity governance and lifecycle management capabilities?
A) Azure AD Identity Governance
B) Azure Security Center
C) Azure Sentinel
D) Azure Monitor
Answer: A) Azure AD Identity Governance
Explanation: This service manages access lifecycle, entitlement management, and compliance.
